Special to the Maroon Devils Network – Swain completed the indoor track season this past weeked at the NCHSAA 1A/2A state championships. As a team, the girls placed 29th overall (4th in the 1A). Led by Monica Riordan’s 4th place finish in the 55 M hurdles. Natalie Stuckey placed 10th in the shot put (3rd among 1A schools), Jenna Marr finished 11th in the pole vault (1st among 1A schools), and our girls 4×200 team (Janet Villagomez, Emily Ulaner, Jenna Marr, Monica Riordan, and Kendall Ogle (Alt), placed 13th overall (2nd among 1A and they beat Murphy head to head). Such a great season for our women’s team.
The boys as a team did not score any points, but our two pole vaulters competed with the best in the state. John Schuler finished 10th overall (3rd in 1A) and Matthew Gray finished 13th overall (4th in 1A). Way to finish up a great season.
According to Coach Julius, this was a season of firsts for the team. It was the first time Swain has ever sent a hurdler to the state meet, the first time Swain has sent any type of relay team to the state meet, this was the largest contingent of athletes Swain has sent to the NCHSAA State meet, and Monica became the first Swain female athlete to medal at the State meet. As a team, our girls beat Murphy’s girls for the first time and won 2 meets.
“I would like to thank Bruce Roth, Peter Julius, Ian Roper, Neil Blankenship, Jennifer Chatham and all of our parents and supporters for such a great season. This foundation year could not have been possible without the entire Swain County Maroon Devil supporters. Our athletes have trained in some harsh weather this season and their success on the track is evident of that hard work. Foundation blocks are crucial and our athletes have laid a great foundation to build upon,” stated head coach Keith Payne.